ATOC's Franchise Reform and Better Value for Money in Rail

This report from the UK Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) elaborates the financial benefits of the measures proposed in the franchise reform identified in the October 2009 ATOC report.

The franchise reform proposed giving train companies a greater stake in the railways to enhance quality for passengers and speed up delivery of improvements.

The report supports the ATOC proposal by detailing how a well-designed long franchise structure could aid in bettering industry value for money. It also describes how a smarter franchise system, which uses private sector disciplines to allow savings by TOCs, by Network Rail (NR) and the management of the interface, can be an alternative for the government.

Six areas of franchise reform have been analysed in the ATOC report and the combined potential impact of action in these areas. The report discusses the importance of training operators and backs McNulty's value-for-money review.